Why GiGi’s – Kathryn’s Story

Kathryn Kaduck –  Facility Committee

Bringing GiGi’s to Knoxville is important to me because I’ve seen firsthand the difference community support can make to folks with disabilities, even outside the walls of the Playhouse itself. In my hometown, GiGi’s came first, followed by an ice cream shop operated by Playhouse members, followed by a coffee shop staffed by folks with broader disabilities. GiGi’s Playhouse normalizes a public presence for folks with Down syndrome and their families, a visibility that is so important in building community, in accessing the broader community, and in advocating for inclusion. To bring that to Knoxville would be such a boon for our local families, and I’m excited to be a part of it!